Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-06-16
HANNAH'S CHILD.
A Short, Pathetic Story From Real
Life.
[OriginaI.1

lOr1g1naI.l
Hannah had always been the one up
on whom her family naturally leaned,
and she, as naturally, took the lead in
all undertakings.
When she married John Wilson, she
carried all her energies into her new
life. John, easy-going mortal, was
quite content 20 let her manage and
was wont to remark that he had the
most capable wife in al Ashford. Why
she married him will forever remain
one of the mysteries of which matri-
moniaflife furnishes so many examples.
Certain it is that Johns affairs never
had prospered as they had since Han
nalr was at the helm. Their two boys
were sturdy little chaps, and Hannah
already had the oldest apprenticed to a
carpenter; the other was to have just
one year more at the district school
and then he, too, was 10 go to work.
Into Hannah's life now came the
poetry of her existence; her baby
daughter, with her blue eyes and sunny
hair, seemed n creature of another
world, almost; she was so dainty and
ethereal, that the voice insensibly soft
ened when addressed to her. For her,
Hannah toiled early and late, taking
satisfaction in seeing her life made as
happy as possible. The little pet, Rose,
Hannah called her, repaid her mothers
affection with such sweetness and love
that Hannah said it rested her just to
look at the darling.
She was two years old when her
mother was stricken with a slow fever.
After a little, she recognized the fact
that the time had come when she must
resign her life's work to another. If
it was not for Rose, she thought, she
world be willing to go, for
she was very tired, and rest
looked sweet. But Rose! AS if in
prophetic vision Hannah saw John with
out her to lean upon, losing ground,
his own 'shiftlessness bringing '.bad
luck" gradually sinking to the level of
common poor folks. The boys had in
herited enough of her own spirit to
make their own way in the world. But
her little blossom, how could she bear
such a life! She thought long and deep
IL; she had no relatives then to whom
she could confide her darling. What
could she dOP At last she asked the
neighbor who was taking care of her to
give her writing material. With great
effort she wrote u letter and directed it
to my precious daughter, Rose Wilson;
to be given to her on her eighteenth
birthday" Then asking for a certain
box which contained few trinkets she
took off her wedding ring and placed it
and the letter in the box, and tying it
up directed it as she had the letter.
There, DEAR" said the woman,
crest; you are all tired OUT
After little, the sick woman asked
for her baby. and embracing her most
tenderly she laid back on her pillows
exhausted.
When her husband came homs she
reused herself, and reckoning him to
her side she said:
''John. l am going away from YOU"
''Oh, Hannah! l can't live without
you
You must" she answered Listen
to me: After am gone l want you to
find some Christian lady who will take
Rose for her very own and raise her as
her own child. You can't take care of
her. my poor John. Ask the lady to
. ASA Wis bON "ACA SHc 10
years old. Mrs. Brown will take care
of her till you find the right person. 1
have prayed over it and am sure this
is best. You and the boss must do the
best you can. Try, John, snd make the
most of yourself and them" Turning
to the boys, with a faltering, sinking
voice, she said:
Never - dO-any thIng-you-
would-be-ashamed to-have-your
-mother-know, and--take-care- of
your ather"-
And Hannah was at rest.
Mrs. Alden was entertaining num-
Der of her friends in her own enviable
style when chance remark of one
lady about her little girl brought from
other mothers similar instances of the
matchless perfection of the>I darlings,
and Mrs. Alden said:
REALLY, ladies. quite envy YOU
think that Christian mother is the
highest type of womanhood.
IF l were you, Mrs. Alden, I would
adopt child" said one of her friends.
1--WE have thought of it." she said.